DIGEST: Armstrong's team left out of the Vuelta

Lance Armstrong’s RadioShack team complained of unfair treatment Monday after being refused an invitation to take part in the Spanish Vuelta.

The Vuelta organizers announced the 22 teams that will compete in this year’s race. Sixteen teams were preselected under an agreement between race organizers and the International Cycling Union (UCI).

RadioShack was the most prominent absentee.

“They told us we were not selected because other teams were better in their eyes. We are not happy about it,” team spokesman Philippe Maertens said.

Armstrong and RadioShack are currently competing in the Tour of Switzerland.

Seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong was not expected to be available to compete in the Aug. 28-Sept. 19 Vuelta because he will be attempting to win the French race again this year. But other teammates would have competed in Spain.

The RadioShack team also includes 2010 Dauphine winner Janez Brajkovic, Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden.

Team manager Johan Bruyneel reacted angrily to the omission, saying it’s “high time for ’professional’ cycling to become professional.”

MORE CYCLING

Frank Schleck of Luxembourg led a late breakaway to win the third stage of the Tour of Switzerland, while Lance Armstrong gained ground in the standings. Germany’s Tony Martin of Team HTC-Columbia took the overall race lead from Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara in the 122.4-mile trek from Sierre to Schwarzenburg featuring a climb up the Mosses Pass. Armstrong rose to 21st, from 33rd, and is 30 seconds behind the German.

NFL

Contrite Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young apologized to his teammates, coaches, fans and the Titans’ organization for a misdemeanor assault citation he got at a Dallas strip club early Sunday. Young said he’s hopeful the incident won’t result in a suspension.

•The Titans suspended linebacker Gerald McRath without pay for the first four games of the upcoming season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing drugs. McRath started five games at outside linebacker as a rookie in 2009.

•Linebacker Elvis Dumervil signed his restricted free-agent tender from the Denver Broncos. Dumervil, the 2009 NFL sacks leader, had a restricted free-agent tender worth $3.168 million on the table.

•New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis sat out some plays in practice in protest of his stalled contract negotiations after initially telling coaches he was “lightheaded.” Revis promised last week he would participate in the team’s mandatory minicamp. But toward the end of the first practice, he told defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman he was “just a little lightheaded” and went to the sideline.

•New England Patriots offensive lineman Logan Mankins said that he would not plan to sign his restricted free agent tender and wants to be traded.

•New Orleans running back Pierre Thomas signed his one-year restricted free agent tender but wants to negotiate a longer and more lucrative deal before training camp opens at the end of July.

ASTRODOME

The iconic Houston Astrodome could become a convention and science center under a $1.35 billion-dollar proposal unveiled by county officials and complex operators if taxpayers are willing to pay at least a third of the cost.

DEATH

Former Padre Oscar Azocar, a free-swinging outfielder when he debuted for the New York Yankees in 1990, died Monday in Valencia, Venezuela. He was 45. Azocar hit .226 with five home runs and 36 RBI in a three-year major league career.

Promoted from the minors by the Yankees in July 1990, he got a pinch-hit single in his first big league at-bat, then homered, doubled and singled in his next game. Azocar played for the Padres in 1991 and ’92.

TENNIS

Australia’s Samantha Stosur, coming off a loss in the French Open final to Francesca Schiavone, defeated Melanie Oudin 6-4, 6-4 at the Aegon International in Eastbourne, England.

Among the men, third-seeded Gilles Simon of France made a successful return from a knee injury. Playing his first match since March, Simon downed Russia’s Evgeny Korolev 6-3, 6-7 (8-6), 6-4 for his first victory this year.

American James Blake, who has dropped to No. 110 following a similar injury and absence from the tour, failed to match Simon on his comeback and was beaten 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 by fourth-seeded Julien Benneteau of France.

UFC

An Aug. 1 Ultimate Fighting Championship event has been moved from Salt Lake City to the San Diego Sports Arena. The bout was moved because of poor ticket sales. Tickets for UFC LIVE will go on sale Saturday, June 19 at 10 a.m. Tickets are priced at $250, $150, $95, $75 and $40 and are available at the Sports Arena box office, Ticketmasters.com, Ticketmaster locations and by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

NBA

Tom Izzo wouldn’t even tell one of his young campers if he wants to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers or stay at Michigan State.

Izzo was at his basketball camp Monday when a boy tried to get the scoop, inquiring about the coach’s interest in jumping to the NBA. “Bad question,” Izzo said. Izzo had nothing new to say Monday night, declining comment to two reporters waiting outside his office.

•Denver Nuggets coach George Karl skipped a charity golf tournament because he wasn’t feeling well enough to play, sending his son as a substitute.

And his son brought along a cheery update on his dad’s battle with throat and neck cancer.

Nuggets guard Coby Karl said he thinks his father will be back on the bench for the start of next season.